The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) opened its 36th Food Expo, along with the Beauty & Wellness Expo and Home Delights Expo, on Thursday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The three fairs, running concurrently from 13 to 17 August, are open to the public and feature a combined 1,850 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions. Under the central theme 'Live Well. Stay Well,' the expositions aim to showcase wellness trends and encourage the public to embrace healthier lifestyles.
Officiating at the opening ceremony, Financial Secretary Paul Chan was joined by HKTDC Council Member Dr Jonathan Choi and Executive Director Sophia Chong. Dr Choi highlighted the integration of wellness into daily life, stating, 'Today, wellness has become an integral part of everyday life. It is reflected in the food and beverages we enjoy, the way we care for our home and how we nurture our physical and mental well-being.' Ms Chong emphasized Hong Kong's role as a trading hub, saying, 'Hong Kong has long served as a platform for global food and catering enterprises seeking to expand into the Chinese Mainland, Asia and international markets.'
The fairs feature Five Themed Days, each focusing on different aspects of quality living. On the first day, 'Happy Eat Happy Life,' attendees can explore wellness-focused products such as cistanche health drinks, ready-to-eat bird's nest with a 'five-free' commitment, and organic dried blueberries. The Home Delights Expo showcases a high-speed food processor designed for texture-modified meals, aiding elderly individuals with swallowing difficulties. The Beauty & Wellness Expo offers complimentary health assessments, including traditional Chinese wellness consultations and stress tests.
The second day, 'The World in Blink,' highlights global delicacies, including limited-harvest honey from South Africa, Finnair's inflight chocolate, and organic raw cacao nibs from Peru. Asian flavours include pandan chiffon cakes from Singapore and Korean water-shake probiotic yoghurt. The Beauty & Wellness Expo introduces innovative beauty devices and clear aligners. Cultural activities, such as embroidery workshops and ethnic dance performances, are also scheduled.
On the third day, 'Coffee or Tea?' focuses on beverages, with a dedicated Coffee Zone featuring Yunnan's truffle-flavoured drip coffee, Myanmar Arabica beans, and Kona coffee. The Hong Kong International Tea Fair presents rare teas, including purple bud raw Pu'er tea from Kunlu Mountain and ceremonial-grade matcha from the Chinese Mainland's Matcha Pavilion. A new 'Tea Lifestyle' zone showcases innovative tea beverages like Pu'er coffee tea and LockCha beer, along with Zen-inspired bonsai displays. Tea-related activities include tea meditation and the Cross-Strait and Hong Kong-Macao teenager tea art competition.
The fourth day, 'Stay Fresh, Stay Ahead,' focuses on premium fresh produce. Hong Kong's Fish Marketing Organization and Vegetable Marketing Organization introduce their new unified brand, 'Hong Kong Harvest,' featuring local fishery and agricultural products. The Chinese Mainland pavilion presents Yunnan ham, Xinjiang wines, and other regional delicacies. The Gourmet Zone celebrates its 15th edition with 15 star chefs demonstrating dishes, and a commemorative recipe book will be available to participants.
The final day, 'Let's Chill,' offers relaxation experiences, with the Beauty & Wellness Expo introducing a 'Stay Relax' zone featuring red-light therapy pods. The Home Delights Expo hosts 'Go Sleep Exp,' presented by the Sleep Health Association, exploring the sleep journey through immersive sensory experiences. The Food Expo introduces a new Dessert and Gelato Theme, featuring over 100 desserts and speciality ice cream flavours, including Hong Kong's first chewy treats themed market.
For trade visitors, Food Expo PRO introduces a new 'Meat Zone' and a 'Food Science and Technology Zone' highlighting alternative foods and food-service technologies. A Hong Kong exhibitor showcases an innovative health food combining Gastrodia elata from Guizhou. Pet food products are introduced for the first time, featuring patented packaging technology that preserves nutritional value without preservatives. The halal food and beverage label returns for the third consecutive year, with over 130 exhibitors from various markets.
The International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM) runs from 13 to 15 August, focusing on 'Clinical Translation, Regulatory Policies and Global Innovative Pathways of Traditional Medicine.' The conference has been expanded to three days, featuring over 30 speakers from 11 countries, and is supported by the Chinese Medicine Development Fund. It will be held in a hybrid format, allowing wider participation.
To celebrate HKTDC's 60th anniversary, special promotions include free admission before noon for the first 600 visitors daily, '6'-themed offers from exhibitors, and daily lucky draws with prizes worth over HK$1 million. The 'Smart Bidding' session returns, allowing visitors to bid on products starting at 10% of the original price. E-tickets are available through various platforms, and visitors can also pay on-site with AlipayHK, Alipay, Octopus, or WeChat Pay.
